‘Linsanity’s‘ Chinese ethnicity translates to Volvo endorsement deal? With 2.47 million followers on his microblog, the bilingual Lin is reported here to be the key to doubling sales to 800,000 vehicles in the 10 years to 2020.

Jeremy Lin, the New York Knicks basketball player who surged in popularity this year, is in talks on an endorsement deal with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co (GEELZ).’s Volvo Cars, three people familiar with the matter said.

An agreement may be announced soon and would result in the 23-year-old former Harvard University player endorsing Volvo cars in China, two of the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private. The two sides are in advanced negotiations after having reached a preliminary agreement, they said.

Resale prices of Knicks games and television ratings have surged after Lin came off the bench to lead his team to a seven- game winning streak last month. The point guard, who was cut twice by other teams, is the first Chinese- or Taiwanese American to play in the National Basketball Association and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated for two straight weeks. Read the rest of this entry »